New partnership to protect Kurrawa Beach

25 July 2016

The city’s defences against storm damage continue to be boosted with the construction of a new 205 metre public seawall at Kurrawa Beach.

The $1.3 million project, adjacent to Kurrawa Park between Charles Avenue and Victoria Avenue, is part of our extensive seawalls program. In a positive funding partnership, Kurrawa Surf Lifesaving Club is contributing $225,000.

Mayor Tom Tate and Kurrawa Surf Lifesaving Club Captain Mark Hendriks today inspected a section of the seawall, expected to be completed by September.

Cr Tate said when completed, the seawall would protect the new Kurrawa Terrace, a Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™ show case project at Kurrawa Park, and improve resilience to community infrastructure from coastal erosion during extreme weather events.

“The works involve short, temporary beach closures and dune vegetation removal. Where possible, impacted dune areas will be fenced for protection and revegetated with appropriate species.

“Since 2012, we have invested $15.9 million into the protection of our beaches with seawalls.”

Divisional Councillor Paul Taylor said he was pleased to have brokered the joint funding arrangement.

“The best value-for-money approach for ratepayers was to secure some funding via the surf club and we have achieved this,’’ he said.

Club president Michael McSweeney said Kurrawa Beach was an iconic destination attracting more than 5000 locals and visitors daily.

“In addition to providing the community with lifesaving training and surf patrol along our beaches, it is important we continue to provide a safe beach environment,” he said.

“The completion of the seawall will help achieve this and, at the same time, ensure future generations can enjoy the enviable lifestyle the Gold Coast has to offer.”

Other seawall projects include Narrowneck, due for completion in October. The seawall works are part of the City’s Ocean Beaches Strategy 2013-2023.